The NRC Advantage

GREAT MINDS. ONE GOAL. CANADA’S SUCCESS. 

The National Research Council of Canada represents a powerful partnering option for anyone looking to push the boundaries of science and industry. In fact, as the Government of Canada’s largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development, we have become catalysts for innovation. For over a hundred years, the impact of our work with industry leaders and other government bodies has shaped Canada’s future. We partner with some of the most creative and solutions-driven minds in the world. 

And now, we want to partner with you. Be part of our collective force to come up with potentially disruptive solutions to Canada’s current and future technology challenges. Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.

The Program

The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).

PDFs will be offered appointments to the staff of the National Research Council on a term basis and will be offered salaries and benefits currently available to Research Officers or Research Council Officers.
 

Salaries commensurate with experience are taxable and subject to other deductions. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $68,567. In addition PDFs will be allocated a travel fund to support their work.

Project Title

Modeling brain dynamics for cognitive state monitoring.

Your Challenge

NRC is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of brain activity during aircraft piloting using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The Postdoctoral Fellow will join a team of scientists and engineers at NRC’s Flight Research Laboratory and conduct experiments using NRC’s flight simulation laboratories and research aircraft. In particular, the Postdoctoral Fellow will record EEG and fNIRS data from pilots executing flight manœuvres with varying levels of difficulty, during ground based simulation and in-flight testing, to investigate pilot brain dynamics under different cognitive loads. This research is part of a larger initiative to develop human-in-the-loop adaptive technologies for improving flight training and flight safety.  

Education

Ph.D. in neuroscience, cognitive science, engineering, or a closely related field.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency 

Experience

Experience with EEG and/or fNIRS data processing and analysis is essential, preferably accompanied by expertise in brain dynamics modeling.

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests 

Condition of Employment

Secret (II) 

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2016) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.

Although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents, Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries. The offer of a Fellowship does not ensure foreign nationals Permanent Residency in Canada. Non-Canadian candidates should apply for non-immigrant status (i.e. temporary status) and an employment visa.  For further information, please contact the closest Canadian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate in your area.

Application Requirements

In order to be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from consideration.  
 

• Resume
• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)
• PhD Transcript – an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.
• List of Publications
• Three letters of recommendation (please note that you need to attach the letters to your application profile, your referees will need to provide you with their letters)

When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments» 

Relocation

Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC’s directives. 

Salary Range

From $52,854 to $149,416 per annum. 

The Postdoctoral Fellowships Program is unique to the NRC. It falls under the RO/RCO classification system which uses a person-based classification system instead of the more common duties-based classification system. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, skill, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience.  As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $68,567. 

Notes

• NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.
• Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries, although preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.